NASBLA Names 2024 Regional Winners for Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2024) – The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is pleased to announce the regional winners of the 2024 Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year award. Generously sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc., this award was established by NASBLA in 2011 to honor educators who excel in engaging students and boaters, raising awareness, and making boating education initiatives relevant, comprehensive, and exciting.
As NASBLA members, every state and territory is eligible to nominate their state-level boating educator for consideration for the regional and national Boating Educator of the Year awards. The regional winners are invited to receive their awards at the 65th Annual NASBLA Conference, which will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 17 - 19, 2024. The awards banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18.
Christopher Calhoun, of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, has been named the 2024 Northern Region Educator of the Year. Calhoun's contributions to boating safety and water rescue education have earned him this recognition. As an aquatic resource program specialist with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC), Calhoun has dedicated 35 years to improving safety and training on Pennsylvania's waterways. His efforts have significantly impacted boating safety education both within the Commonwealth and beyond. In addition to his role with PFBC, Calhoun is a full-time professor and coordinator for the park and recreation management program at Butler County Community College, where he teaches paddling, boating, and water safety. His expertise has been recognized nationally and internationally, with presentations at conferences, including one in Australia in 2022. Over the years, Calhoun has instructed training programs in 14 states, spreading his knowledge and passion for boating and water safety far and wide. Read more about Christopher Calhoun’s achievements throughout his career.
The 2024 Southern Region Educator of the Year is Marcus Bowling of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. A dedicated member of the department for 25 years, Bowling has excelled in various roles, including law enforcement and marketing. Since 2019, he has served as the boating education coordinator, bringing invaluable knowledge, experience, and training to the position. As the state's boating education coordinator, Bowling teaches 15 to 25 classes annually for individuals seeking their Boating Education Certificate. His classes reach a diverse audience, including search and rescue units, high school bass fishing teams, marina patrons, summer camp children, and the general public. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bowling successfully transitioned to online classes via Zoom and continues to excel with in-person instruction. Each year, he drives an average of 8,000 miles and educates around 200 students. Find out more about Marcus Bowling’s accomplishments.
Scott Murdoch, a dedicated wildlife officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), has been named the Western Region Educator of the Year for 2024. Murdoch began his career as a district wildlife manager in Grand Lake, actively patrolling and educating the public on safe boating practices. Even after moving to an area with fewer water bodies, he continues to patrol large reservoirs in South Park. Murdoch is a NASBLA Officer Water Survival Instructor and a National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Close Quarters and Open Water Boating Instructor. He teaches at various Basic Marine Operator Training (BMOT) sessions across Colorado, with his most significant contribution being at the BMOT in Grand Lake. Murdoch ensures new officers are proficient in boat safety and operations. His unwavering commitment to planning and logistics has been crucial to the program’s success, involving classroom instruction, pool sessions, and hands-on training. Learn more about Scott Murdoch’s career achievements.
The 2024 National Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year will be announced at the NASBLA Awards Banquet on Wednesday, September 18. For more information on the Educator of the Year Award, please visit www.nasbla.org/awards.
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Generously sponsored by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc., the Pamela S. Dillon Boating Educator of the Year Award was launched by NASBLA in 2011 to recognize those who go above to engage students and boaters, raise awareness, and make boating education initiatives relevant, thorough and exciting.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, we affect the lives of nearly 85 million American boaters.